Lee Hyun asked Yerin to choose a restaurant, but she didn’t expect they would actually dine there that evening.
The restaurant she picked was famous on social media for its ambiance.
It didn’t accept reservations, so waiting at the venue was the norm, and it was known to close early if ingredients ran out.
Glancing at the clock in the car, Yerin realized they would likely arrive around closing time.
‘Phew, that’s a relief.’
She planned to suggest any nearby snack bar for a quick meal if the restaurant was closed.
A smile crept onto Yerin’s face.
Lee Hyun probably didn’t know her thoughts.
After all, he would either ask her to find the missing woman or pretend to be in a relationship with him.
The conclusion seemed too predetermined for a fancy meal.
Yerin couldn’t help but smile, thinking she had outsmarted Lee Hyun.
While driving, Lee Hyun glanced at Yerin and asked.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Imagining Lee Hyun’s disappointment at seeing the restaurant closed, or a long waiting line, Yerin tried to suppress her rising smile.
Soon, they arrived near the restaurant.
‘Why don’t I see a waiting line?’
According to Nari, the queue was usually visible from afar.
‘Maybe they didn’t open today?’
The lack of a line led Yerin to a logical conclusion.
Lee Hyun’s car slowly stopped in front of the restaurant.
‘Huh? The lights are on?’
Though the sign read ‘Closed for Today,’ the restaurant lights were still on.
Yerin internally celebrated, assuming they had closed early due to running out of ingredients.
She didn’t unbuckle her seatbelt, feigning disappointment.
“Division Head, it looks like they closed early today.”
“It does seem so.”
“We should go somewhere else then…”
Just as she was about to suggest another place, Lee Hyun turned off the ignition and unbuckled his seatbelt.
“Division Head?”
Yerin pointed out the ‘Closed for Today’ sign.
“It seems we can’t dine here.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because it says they’re closed.”
“Indeed.”
Instead of starting the car, Lee Hyun got out.
“Why is he doing that?”
Perhaps he needed to confirm the closure himself.
As Yerin wondered, Lee Hyun came around to the passenger side and opened the door.
“Aren’t you getting out, Secretary Han?”
“We can’t dine here, can we?”
“We can.”
Yerin was puzzled as she got out of the car.
‘He must need to see for himself.’
She followed him, thinking they would just be turned away at the door.
Ding
A welcoming bell rang.
“Welcome.”
Huh? They were actually invited in.
Yerin was taken aback, having expected the owner to say they were closed.
“Are you Cha Hyun, who reserved the entire restaurant for today?”
“Yes.”
Lee Hyun smiled at Yerin.
“…….”
Speechless, Yerin looked back and forth between the owner and Lee Hyun.
“Why that expression, Secretary Han?”
“I’m just… wondering why.”
He rented the entire restaurant? But why?
“You can go inside.”
Yerin pondered the cost of renting the place.
The chef personally escorted them to a nice window seat.
“Take your time with the menu.”
Yerin watched the chef walk away, bemused.
Lee Hyun chuckled again.
“Why that expression, Secretary Han?”
“Division Head, I’m just really curious.”
Lee Hyun rested his chin on one hand, encouraging Yerin to ask anything.
“Did you book this place?”
“Yes.”
“For the entire day?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To avoid messing up my plan?”
Lee Hyun constantly wore a smile, seemingly pleased with himself.
All my plans went awry.
It seemed like Lee Hyun’s plans were unfolding flawlessly.
I should have picked a different restaurant.
Then…
Pondering this, Yerin asked with a doubtful expression.
“What if I had chosen a different restaurant? Why did you specifically book this one?”
Even with abundant wealth, it would be a waste if Yerin had chosen elsewhere.
Yerin was glad she chose this place.
Then, Lee Hyun said something surprising.
“It wouldn’t have mattered.”
His confident response left Yerin entranced.
“Why wouldn’t it matter?”
The restaurants he showed were all popular.
That meant any of them could have closed early due to running out of ingredients.
Lee Hyun casually stroked his sleek jaw.
“I booked them all.”
“…What?”
Yerin thought she misheard him.
“You booked all the restaurants you showed me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t know which one Secretary Han would choose?”
“No…”
Wait a minute.
So he booked all the restaurants to avoid any change in plans.
“Would it sound more romantic if I said, ‘Wherever Secretary Han chooses, I wanted to take you there’?”
“Yes… No?”
It was almost thrilling.
That confident demeanor of his, suggesting he could take her anywhere she desired.
Yerin changed her response, and Lee Hyun smiled as if amused.
“So, it’s not romantic to flaunt wealth like this. Learned something new.”
“…”
Yerin just bit her lip.
Admittedly, it was romantic.
He had personally chosen the restaurants, booked them, and was determined to dine at the one she chose.
“All the other restaurants you didn’t pick, someone else is dining there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if I paid for the booking, the chefs at those restaurants would want to serve good food.”
“Who’s dining there then?”
“A children’s home I regularly volunteer at.”
Incredulous, Yerin covered her mouth.
Soon, she braced herself for what was to come.
“They are dining at the restaurants they wanted.”
“…”
“Of course, I’ll cover the meal costs.”
This was beyond Yerin’s expectations.
“If you’re worried about not picking the other restaurants, don’t be.”
“…Yes.”
Her brown eyes fluttered rapidly.
Trying to hide her expression, she quickly lowered her gaze to the menu.
She felt an inexplicable emotion.
What was this?
Too faint to be called excitement.
Too peculiar for a mere flutter.
Yes, admiration.
Despite being labeled cold, Lee Hyun showed warmth and care, especially with such delicate gestures.
Sometimes, her heart raced uncontrollably.
“Division Head, you were quite impressive today.”
Hearing Yerin’s trembling voice, Lee Hyun’s face lit up with pleasure.
“Secretary Han even compliments me. I feel good.”
Yerin felt like she should say more, slowly lifting her head.
Lee Hyun’s intense gaze was steadfastly fixed on her.
“Perhaps someday, when you do this for the woman you like…”
Lee Hyun quietly waited for Yerin’s assessment.
“She will really appreciate it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“That’s relieving.”
As Yerin nodded with a slight smile, Lee Hyun mirrored her expression.
“It shows your sincerity, Division Head.”
They waited for their order as the food was being prepared.
“I’ve never chosen a restaurant based on its atmosphere before.”
Yerin recalled Lee Hyun mentioning something similar before.
“Thinking about where to take Secretary Han today was quite fun.”
“Division Head, please leave such decisions to me in the future.”
“Sure.”
Lee Hyun readily agreed, pleased that Yerin mentioned handling future arrangements.
“Secretary Han, I’ve been thinking deeply about something.”
Yerin instinctively bit her lip.
Whenever Lee Hyun pondered something deeply, it usually meant something surprising was about to be said.
“Thoughts are sometimes overrated, aren’t they?”
“Yes, Division Head?”
“We don’t know each other very well yet.”
“….”
To Yerin, maintaining a professional distance was ideal.
There was no need for personal chitchat beyond understanding Lee Hyun’s work preferences.
But it seemed Lee Hyun had a different perspective.
He looked like he had many questions, slowly opening his mouth to speak.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
